Things to Do In New Orleans

Frommer’s 2009 says that Audubon Zoo is a must see! Ride the Endangered Animal Carousel; see Zulu and Rex, the white tigers and the mysterious white alligators. For ticket prices and information, contact http://www.auduboninstitute.org or call (800) 774-7394.

• Relax in front of the Aquarium of the Americas’ 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit. Learn about the types of animals and life that are being affected by the recent oil spill. Learn about sharks and pet a sting ray or see a movie at the aquarium’s IMAX theater. For more information contact http://www.auduboninstitute.org or call (800) 774-7394.

• CNN calls the Audubon Insectarium “A top museum for you and your kids.” This Insectarium is the largest museum devoted to insects. For more information contact http://www.auduboninstitute.org or call (800) 774-7394.

• The National World War II Museum is a must see! Learn about the war that changed the world through, exhibits, personal stories, artifacts and more. For more information contact http://www.nationalww2museum.org or call (800) 273-4463.

• Explore New Orleans African American culture in Treme at New Orleans African-American Museum. Treme is America’s oldest black neighborhood. Group tours of the museum and Treme are available. Contact http://www.thenoaam.org or call (504) 566—1136 for more information.

• Southerners love to eat. It is a part of everything they do. Celebrate food in the American South with food tastings, demonstrations, history and more at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Contact http://www.southernfood.org or call (504) 569-0405.

• Hands on fun for everyone at Louisiana Children’s Museum! For more information contact http://www.lcm.org or call (504)523-1357.

• Shop on Magazine Street! Here you can find interesting and funky shops, restaurants and bars. Blue Frog Chocolates, The Bulldog Pub, Joey K’s and Whole Foods are all great places you will find on Magazine Street. For more information contact the Magazine Street Merchant’s Association at (504) 342-4435.

• See America’s oldest public market, The French Market, six historic blocks of unique shops and restaurants, a flea market and farmer’s market. Something for everyone! For more information contact http://www.frenchmarket.org .

• Take a ride on a riverboat! The Creole Queen Paddlewheeler offers daily excursions on the Mississippi River and evening dinner cruises are available. For more information contact http://www.creolequeen.com or call (800) 445-4109.

• Don’t miss the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street! Live music and lively drinks all make Bourbon Street a place like no other. For more information contact http://www.neworleanscvb.com or call (800) 672-6124.

• Try your luck at gambling at one of New Orleans casinos. Harrah’s Casino at the end of Canal Street has it all, food, shows and best of all a chance to win! The Treasure Chest Casino is an actual Riverboat Casino with shows and dining. For more information contact http://www.neworleanscvb.com or call (800)672-6124.

• New Orleans has a tour for everyone! Cemetery, Voodoo, Plantations, or Garden District tours are available from Historic New Orleans Tours, a Frommer’s STAR recipient 1999-2010. Contact http://www.TourNewOrleans.com or phone (504) 947-2120.

• For a theatrical, historical and entertaining tour of New Orleans’ “haunted sites” consider a tour by Haunted History Tours. As seen on the Travel Channel, this is New Orleans only 5 star adventure into the French Quarter and Garden District. Contact http://www.HauntedHistoryTours.com or phone (888) 644-6787.

• Journey down the old River Road. Tour Oak Alley Plantation where Interview with a Vampire was filmed and either Laura, San Francisco or Evergreen Plantations. Named New Orleans best plantation tour. Contact www.plantationadventure.com or phone (866) 671-8687.

• You can’t visit New Orleans without taking a swamp tour. Relax on a pontoon tour through the swamp or take an adventurous ride on an airboat! See alligators, snakes, egrets and other creatures of the Louisiana swamp. Contact www.machupicchutours.com or phone (504)561-9050.

• Machu Picchu Tours also offers several tours of all the sights and sounds of New Orleans, including the French Quarter, The Garden District, St. Charles Avenue and more. Mach Picchu has tour guides that multi-lingual.

New Orleans on the Cheap

New Orleans on the Cheap -- Sign up here via Facebook Update, Twitter, or by email to receive daily deals and discounts at restaurants, museums, and other New Orleans venues!

Fun FREE Things

• Take your picture with the statues of jazz legends Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, and Fats Domino in Musical Legends Park on Bourbon Street. The park frequently invites musicians to play, and all concerts are free to the public.

• Snug Harbor Jazz Clubon Frenchmen Street frequently offers free shows on weekends. Acts include the Sweet Home New Orleans Trio at 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and other free gigs on Friday and Saturday at midnight. Check the monthly calendar before you go.

• While the National World War II Museum is not free to visitors, every summer Sunday it hosts free swing dancing lessons. Check the museum's events calendar for more on Sunday Swing and other events.

• Tucked away in the Arts/Warehouse District, the American Italian Renaissance Foundation's Museum and Research Library details the history of Italian Americans in the Southeast. Check out the Giovanni Schiavo Collection, one of the world's most significant collections of Italian-American history, and marvel at the gown worn by opera singer Marguerite Piazza at the Italian Mardi Gras ball. Next door, the Piazza d'Italia (which got 15 minutes of fame in The Big Easy), serves as a monument to the Italian-American community.

• The St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the country. The original structure, built in the early 18th century, was destroyed in a fire in 1788. Rebuilt in 1794 (and again in the 19th century after mistakes were made during a renovation), the church is now one of the most recognizable landmarks in New Orleans. Attend a Mass, explore the church, or enjoy a free classical concert hosted by the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center.

• Get an intimate look at Mardi Gras at the Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum, located above Armaud's classic Creole restaurant. The museum opened in 1983 and is named after Mrs. Wells, who was the queen of twenty-two Mardi Gras balls between 1937 and 1968. On display are some two dozen gowns, including Mrs. Wells's mother's 1939 Empress gown, as well as other Mardi Gras costumes, memorabilia, photographs, jewelry, and krewe invitations.

• Established in 1862, Café du Monde is New Orleans's signature French café. Stop by the original location at 800 Decatur Street and watch as fresh beignets—French doughnuts—are made.

• Stop by New Orleans staple Le Bon Temps Roule Bar & Sandwich for free oysters (Fridays only at 7 p.m.) and live music. The pub also has pool tables and offers $1 beer during Saints games.

• Take the St. Charles Avenue streetcar (fee) to Audubon Park, located between Loyola and Tulane Universities. The 300-acre park is filled with lagoons, extensive green space, and has plenty of space for visitors to escape the city. Picnic under the oak trees or go for a jog along the 1.8-mile trail. Audubon Park is part of the Audubon Institute and has free admission.